Man Injured While Diving

January 3, 1986|By Michael Connelly, Staff writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — A 26-year-old Miami man remained in serious condition Thursday after being accidentally hit by a boat while he was skin diving about 200 yards off the beach on New Year`s Day, officials said.

Dan Leonard was at Broward General Medical Center with lacerations from a boat propeller on his back and legs, officials said.

According to police reports, Leonard was skin diving off the beach behind the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel when he was struck by a small power boat about 2 p.m.

Police said the boat was being driven north by Ronrick Kern, 30, of Fort Lauderdale, and was also carrying his wife, Susan, 32; their daughter, Nora, 1; and a friend, Randy Ruttger, 35.

Kern told police he was driving the boat at about 20 mph when he heard and felt a bump. When he turned the craft around to see what he had hit, he saw Leonard come to the surface, police said. According to police reports, Leonard was apparently not using a diving flag.